I agree with Simon's valid point, but chapters are easily digestible manageable chunks.
I don't like chapters of more than twelve pages because if there are two or more important dramatic incidents in a single chapter, then there is a danger that the most important dramatic landmark will lose its explosive impact
Chapters can have more than one action or dramatic event, but there should be only one important dramatic event/landmark in each chapter. It should be vital to the plot and storyline, and not part of a sub-plot, or mini-plot. It's advisable to keep sub-plots/mini-plots as part of the storyline.
You can have many incidents/actions in a single chapter but each incident must gradually build in strength, tension and conflict from the preceding incident, then your landmark end to your chapter should explode a bang.
My tips to ensure your chapter ends with a cliff-hanger or hook.
1) Ask yourself what the chapter is about.
2) Think about how you're going to get from the beginning to the middle, and from the middle to the end of the chapter.
3) Once you know what your chapter is about, START BY WRITING THE ENDING FIRST.
4) My best tip is to start with the dramatic landmark at the end of your chapter and work backwards. If you already have the dramatic ending it will make it much easier writing towards it.
5) If you do this with all your chapters you will become a killed chapter-builder.
To sum up,
Chapters should advance the plot, storyline and the protagonist’s growth throughout the novel. Every chapter should contain a dramatic landmark, a vital issue that needs to be resolved later in the novel. The sequence of dramatic events cause the protagonist to adapt to his/her rapidly changing circumstances as he/she strives to achieve their aims.
There have been a few similar threads recently if you fancy going back through them
https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/question/view/1716
https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/question/view/1747
Might be useful :)
Oops, that should have read, skilled chapter-builder, not killed chapter-builder, lol.
I agree with Simon's valid point, but chapters are easily digestible manageable chunks.
I don't like chapters of more than twelve pages because if there are two or more important dramatic incidents in a single chapter, then there is a danger that the most important dramatic landmark will lose its explosive impact
Chapters can have more than one action or dramatic event, but there should be only one important dramatic event/landmark in each chapter. It should be vital to the plot and storyline, and not part of a sub-plot, or mini-plot. It's advisable to keep sub-plots/mini-plots as part of the storyline.
You can have many incidents/actions in a single chapter but each incident must gradually build in strength, tension and conflict from the preceding incident, then your landmark end to your chapter should explode a bang.
My tips to ensure your chapter ends with a cliff-hanger or hook.
1) Ask yourself what the chapter is about.
2) Think about how you're going to get from the beginning to the middle, and from the middle to the end of the chapter.
3) Once you know what your chapter is about, START BY WRITING THE ENDING FIRST.
4) My best tip is to start with the dramatic landmark at the end of your chapter and work backwards. If you already have the dramatic ending it will make it much easier writing towards it.
5) If you do this with all your chapters you will become a killed chapter-builder.
To sum up,
Chapters should advance the plot, storyline and the protagonist’s growth throughout the novel. Every chapter should contain a dramatic landmark, a vital issue that needs to be resolved later in the novel. The sequence of dramatic events cause the protagonist to adapt to his/her rapidly changing circumstances as he/she strives to achieve their aims.
I hope that helps.
Good luck.